The demand for sacrificial animals in the Barishal region during Eid-ul-Azha this year is being fulfilled by domestically produced livestock.
Since local animals have consistently met the demand in recent years, there is no need to import animals from neighbouring countries, said local sources.
According to the sources of the district livestock office, Barishal, there is a demand for 4,00,664 sacrificial animals in six districts of the division this year, where there are 4,60,000 cows, buffaloes, and goats available.
There are 22,983 animal farms in the Barishal division. Among these, there are 6,430 farms in Barishal district, 2,837 in Bhola, 4,185 in Pirojpur, 2,078 in Jhalakathi, 3,008 in Barguna and 4,445 in Patuakhali.
Ninety-five per cent of the division's animal demand is commonly met by small-scale farmers from the southern char areas.
The sources further said that there were 2,32,334 bulls, 37,802 cows, 8,435 buffaloes, 1,39,507 goats and 7,202 sheep among the sacrificial animals in the six districts of Barishal last year.
This year, as per initial figures till the present, there are 4,60,000 sacrificial animals, including cows, buffaloes, goats, and sheep, available in the six districts of the division. Therefore, even after meeting the sacrificial demand, there will be a surplus of 4,59,336 animals.
Visiting several farms in Barishal, our correspondent said that the cattle are being fed naturally sourced food for fattening. Additionally, they are regularly given various dry foods such as oilcake, bran, straw, corn, and soybeans.
However, farm owners believe that the price of sacrificial animals will be slightly higher this year due to the high cost of cattle feed and the increased wages of caretaking workers.
Md Rafiur Rahman Ami, in charge of MEP Agro Farm at Rahmatpur of Barishal’s Babuganj, said, “We have raised 300 cows this year entirely through natural methods. Once, cattle were being raised by grazing in the fields and then, there was no need to buy straw. However, now cattle are being raised on a larger commercial scale. Hence, buyers now can choose their preferred animals carefully.”
Fahim Alam Chaklader, the owner of MEP Agro, mentioned that the prices of everything have increased, and it is estimated that the price of animals will be higher this year.
He added, “We have carefully raised and prepared the animals for sale. Out of the 300 animals on our farm, we have already sold 60. We are hopeful that the remaining animals will also be sold.”
Director of the Barishal District Livestock Service Md Abu Sufian said, “We have provided training to farmers over the past 15 years. As a result, farmers are now quite skilled in food utilisation. No farmers in Barishal use medicines or hormones for raising cattle anymore.”
He urged buyers not to worry when purchasing cattle from local farmers.
